Brake control mechanism



Nov. 2s, 1944. V E FCWLER 2,363,564

BRAKE CONTROL MECHANISM Filed May l, 1943 Patented Nov. 28, 1944 BRAKE CoNTRoLMiionANIsM i `lfilbei't Fowler, Mount Vernon, 6N.`6Y., assignor to` Bendix-Westinghouse Automotive Air Brake Company,V Elyria, Ohio, a corporatonof Dela- Rware f ApplicationMay 1,

1943, serial No. `465,656

` 6 V16 claims,` l(401,"60'3-54) l This invention relates to control valvemechansnisand more particularly .to remotely con-V trolle'diluid pressure operated mechanisms especially adaptable the actuator and a progressivelydecreasing dis` for use in connection with motor placement for each subsequent equal increasein the pressuresupplied to the actuator.

Yet another object of the invention is to pro vide in a valve mechanism of the abovedescribed .the actuator to establish any desired pressure vehicles. v 6v ,e type,` means for supplying an initial pressure to It has heretofore been proposedto employ iiuid the actuator independent 0f the degree `O-lllill pressure control valve mechanisms ofthe selfdisplamentrsllbseqllent incljemellts OPTGSSUIB lapping type for "controllingthe pressure of iiuid dellVeTed t0 lhefaGtllafSOr `'being `IJIFJIJO111011211 UD ina fluid pressure actuator wherein the operathe subsequelltpda dlSRlacement m afordan tion of the Valves in the Valvemechanism has I106 Wfhth DIHlClDleSSet llthepl'ledlng Para been controlled by means of apressure responsive grap?. f 6i member responsive tothe pressure in the actuator stlll anoth N13-1G01; 0f the nvnltm and an operator-controlled resilient means such 6V1 e 1n a con IO Va' Ve me@ a m` as a, Spring which operates to Gppose the forc4 lapping type, aresilient uid pressure spring for exerted by the pressufeqespnsive gme'lfnber*this` 41li `controlling the operation or the valvemechanism. construction permitting the resilient member or A furthe? ObJCt Of th? mventmn 1S Provide Spring to @adjusted` by thei oprator in Such a in connection with a iluid pressure spring of the manner that, acting `in cooperation Withthe presabOYe rejelfred ,to type" novel and 51mm? means sure responsive member, the springgoperates to l for msung a constant Supply 0f mnd pressure `control the lappingof the valve mechanism to tothe Sprmg' 6 establish and maintain apredetermined pressure These M ld other obJectS and novel uvres 0f l in the actuator which is proportipnalftothe dethe Invention W11; :appear .more muy; hremafr f i gress of compression of the spring;` Itis characfrom the followng detuled descnptlon when teristic oi `a spring or "other normally used re`- takerf m Cotmetlon mth the accompanying siucnt moons, however, chatche vforccjexcitedhv drawmg- It 1S t0 b? Press1y ndersmod how? thespring is directly proportional to the degree eyelf that the drawmg 1S employe@ i9: purposes of compression thereof, this action `resulting in a of luutmfflons 9m? and lslnot" designed as., a'

6 .l l 6 l definition of the limits of the invention, reference l l pressure in the actuator which 1s directly prob 6 l i 6 6 6 ,6 l eing had for this purpose to the appended claims. l poitional to the degree of displacement or com- In the drawing wherein Snlarreferen pression ofthe spring by the operatori and' con; y characters refer to"similar parts throughout the l sequently proportional to the `degree of displace#` .Several Views, 4 i '6 6 l llent of mile fcltrollpedal g1" lever pdeor l Figgll is a View, partially in section, lof `a iluid e con 119.60 @Va Ve mec {mism} l' 6, as en pressure control system embodying atluid presound eslrable m Some apphcfitlons hoff/ever l sure control valve mechanism constructed in acto provldi 60mm Valve llechamsm-whefemithe cordoncc with the principios of the prescrit in pressure in the actuator is `proportional to the Venon `and i 6 degree of` displacement ofthe operatorcontrolled Fig is a fragmentary View partially m sec pedal, but not directly proportional as is the case tion, taken along une 2 2 of` Fig. 1. i Whel ,al Spring s used O'T the reslhent member A40 Referring more particularly to Fig. l, the in- I and 1t S aCCOTdmglY an ObJeCtO the Present in vention is disclosed therein asembodying a fluid `Venon to provide means OI COYltTOHllEB'ValVe 6 pressure control system including vin general a mechanism Qf this general type S0 constituted reservoir 4, a fluid pressureactuator 5 for actuatas to permlt control of the Valve t0 dohvel? a ingasuitable `vehicle controlling element 6 and pressure to theaotuotor Proportional/to the dosscifelcpping controI valve mechanism 'l` for con sree of displaoementof the operotnepedal, but` trolling the pressure of fluid in the actuator; The Variably Dr0p01l30n2116611 SfCColdarlCe 'With Cel'- valve mechanism 1 receives iiuid pressure from tain Xed laws rather than directly proportional the reservoir through conduit s, the valve mechas isG the case when the ordinary resilient meansl anism in turnbeingconnected with the actuator iS uiliZedl i f5.0 5 through the medium of6 a conduittinten-` A further objecbof the invention `sto provide connected there-between, and it vim he undern a controlvalve mechanism ofthe above type, stood `by, those skilled in the art that the valve means providing for relatively large pedal dis` mechanism `1 may` be controlled by the operator placements when low pressures are supplied to 6to supply luid pressurefrom the reservoir 4 `to in the actuator, and that the control valve may ,-be further operated 'to exhaust fluid pressure from the actuator to atmosphere through the conduit 9, the valve l, and an exhaust conduit ID connected with the valve mechanism 1, in a manner to be later described.

The control valve mechanism 'I is provided with a casing II having an inlet chamber I2, an outlet chamber I3 and a diaphragm chamber I4 as shown. The chambers I2 and I3 are separated by means Aof a partition I5 provided with a port I5 there-through, the port being normally closed by means of a valve I1 provided with astem I8 having an exhaust valve I9 formed on its upper end, the valve being normally maintained in closed position by means of a suitable spring 2B interposed between the lower face of the exhaust valve and the upper surface of the partition I5. The upper end of the chamber I4 is closed by means of a ilexible diaphragm 2l clamped be-` the outlet chamber I3 and a bore 25 formed in the cover plate are each provided with circular rings of rubber-like material 26, these rings serving to support a valve operating element 28 for sliding movement with respect to the bores, the valve operating element being providedwith a central bore 29 having a connection with the exhaust chamber 23 through the medium of ports Y3E! formed therein. `In order that the diaphragm 2Iy may be responsive vtothepressure in the outlet chamber AI3, a restricted passage 3I is'prolvided in the wall of theoutlet :chamber I3, and -it will be understood' that on downward movement of the valve actuating element 28 under the con- ,trol of means later to be described, the lower end of the bore 29 will rst contact the upper face lof `the exhaust valve I9, thus preventing communication between the outlet chamber I3 and atmosphere through the bore 29, lport 30, cham- 4ber 23 and conduit I0, further downward moveymentof the element 28 serving to move the inlet valve Il downward to permity passage of fluid `pressure from the inlet chamber I2 to the outlet chamber I3, and thence to the actuator 5 through the conduit 9. As the pressure b-uilds up in the outlet chamber and in the diaphragm vchamber I4, the action of this pressure on the diaphragm 2| tends to move the latter and the valve actuating velement 28 upward to a point where the intake 'valve closes, and in the event the actuation of theyelement 28 is accomplished through the medium of a resilient member or connection, it

Iwill be understood that when the force acting' upward on the diaphragm balances the force exerted by the resilient member, the valve mechanism will be in so-called `lapped position, the intake valve and exhaust valves both being in closed position.l Y

In order that the valve actuating element28 may be controlled by the operator, a pivot pin 32 lis provided and mounted in brackets 33 carried sealing engagement with the wall of the cylinder. .75

The lower end of the piston 36 is provided with a spherically shaped socket 38, adapted to receive the spherically shaped end 39 of a rod 40 serving to provide a connection between the pisl ton and the valve actuating element 28, the lower end of the rod engaging a socket 4I formed in the upper end of the element. rIhe upper end of the cylinder 35 is provided with an outlet port 42, this port being normally closed by means of a check valve 43 normally maintained in position by means of a spring 44 interposed between the pedal structure and a shoulder 45 formed at the upper end of the valve. .Thus, assuming that parts are assembled with fluid at atmospheric'pressure in the cylinder 35, it will be understood that on downward movement of the pedal 34, the cylinder 35 will tend to move downward with respect to the piston 36, thus compressing iiuid between the piston and the cylinder and building up a force which is imparted to the valve actuating element 28 through the medium of the connecting rod 40.

Since the use of a compressible fluid is contemplated in the cylinder 35, it will be understood that in View of the nature of fluid compression, the force built up on the rod 40 during initial relative movement of the piston andV cylinder will be comparatively small, but will innection with valve mechanisms of the selflapping type in some instances to provide means for supplying asubstantial pressure to the actuator immediately on depression of lthe foot pedal, and in connection with previous types of valves, this desirable end has been accomplished by precompressing the resilient element or spring kwhich serves as a connecting link between the operators pedal and the valve actuating element,Y this spring ordinarily being held in a cage, and compressed to such an extent that, on initial opera- 'presser serving to actuate the valve actuating` element is arranged to provide the same preloading effect as would be obtained in the event a pre-compressed spring were used, and in the present instance this is accomplished by maintaining the pressurefin` the cylinder 35 at al1 times above atmospheric pressure, so that a force dependent on the degree of this pressure and the area of the piston 36 `will be effective to immediately open the intake valve on operation of the control pedal 34, and to maintain the valve in open position until such time as ythe force exerted by the pressure acting upward on the diaphragm 2l is sufcient to overcome force exerted by the pressure acting on the piston 35 It has been found desirable in the past inv conn `such movement.

"building up in the diaphragm chamber der35. i l v v i, `1 desirable result is accomplished by establishingzaconnection -between thegsource of iuidV pressure as supplied to thetinlet chamber l2, andthe cylinder.35, thearea of the` piston'36 being so chosen inconnection withthis pressure as .to provide thenecessary preloading effect;` To

this end, the body of the pedal `alcove the valve port 42is provided with a chamber 4B, `the upper end of this chamber being closed by means of `a suitable cap nut 41;v `A passage 48 is provided in the'body ofthe pedal member, beingconnected aras upper endiwith the chamberteand at itszlower `end with an annular `groove 4,9` formed in the hubof the pedal, `andishown in more detail in the Fig. 2 oithedrawing.` The pivot pin 32 isprovided with ahollow bore 50, this bore being` connected withthe annular groove' 49 by means of a port 5l in the Wall of the bore 5l),V The pivot pin is maintained in thebrackets 33 by means of nuts 52 and 53, the `nut'52 serving` t'onprevent` `the escape of fluid pressure between the iunction of the left bracket 533.and `the nut,

andthe nut l53 being formed as .ai coupling mem-` the pivot pin and between the pivot pin and the bracketsu33, sealing rings 55 are mounted in the Vand to `move tnwardfwith `respect tothe cylin-` cylinder V35V is further compressed, the increased l pressure exerting an additional force on the v piston 35 which is applied `to the element 28 through the rod 40 to again aotuate the valves to further `increase the pressure in the actuator.

l During this operation, the fluidis preventedfrom check valve 43 `as heretofore explained.

hub of the pedal around the pivot pin `and seal- U ing rings 56 are mounted in vlikemanner in the brackets 33. As shown` more particularly in Fig.

l, the lower end `of the conduit 54 is` connected with the inlet chamber I2, fluid under `pressure thus Abeing free to pass from the inletchamber l2 tothe cylinder 35 "at alltimes throughfthe` conduittSdVthe bore 50 and port 5I ofthe pivot pin, the annular groove 55 inthe pedal, the passage 48, `the chamber 46 and the valve port `4,2. the valve spring 444 being lofsuch light construc- 4tionthat whenever the pressure inthe cylinder is less than that in thechamber 45, the pres-` sure of the fluid in the chamber 46 opens the valve and permits the establishment of substan-` tially reservoir pressure in the cylinder.`

`the Acylinder is provided with a shoulder 51 which engages the lower end of the piston andprevents On initial operation of the brake pedal 34, the valve actuatingelement 28 is moved downward with a forceequa-l to that exerted on `the piston 36 `bythe lfluid pressurein the cylinder 35, closing the exhaust valve and opening the intake valve to establish communication between the reservoirand the` actuator through conduit 8, inlet chamber l2, inlet port I5, outlet chamber 1.3 and conduit 9, the pressure at thefsame time I4 throught the choke 3|. `As soonI as the pressure .in this chamber issuflicient to `move the diaphragm upward against `the force exerted `on the There has thus been provided by the'present` invention,` a self-lapping i control valve `mecha-- nism of the graduating` type, whereinthe pressure delivered by the valve mechanism, instead offlbeing directly proportional to the degree of movement of thecontrol `pedal as is the `case in` `ordinary valves of this type wherein a graduating spring is used to connect the pedal with the valve actuating element, is proportional to the increase in pressure occurring in the cylinder 35 due to displacement of the control pedal,` the movement of the pedal for initial small increments of pressure `being Vmuch` greater than the `'corresponding movements `for subsequent in-l `crements of pressuraa mode of operation which `tends to prevent sudden andisevere application `of pressure to the fluid actuator 5 when the mechanism is used to operate the brakesfof a vehicle, for example.` In addition to the above,

effect now utilized on more conventional valves. `Whilel the invention has been illustrated and described herein `with considerable particularly,

itis -to be understood that the same is not limited to the form shown, but may receive a variety o i mechanical expressions as will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Reference will, therefore, be had to the appended claims for a dei-inition of lthe limits of the invention;`

What is claimedis: l l

1. `The combination in a fluidpressureebrake.

system having "a source ofjiiuid pressure, an

actuatonand valvular means for controlling the flow `of fluid pressure fromsaid source to said actuator including a valve for controlling the establishment of a connection between said source and actuator and means responsive to atorecontrolled means for controlling the operation of said last named means for controlling the operation of the valve in the ,other direction "including a pressure-responsive member for imparting force to said `pressure responsive means, operatorcontrolled means movable `relative to said pressure-responsive member for varyingthe Y pressure thereon 4and forming a pressure chamber` therewith, means connecting said chamber .and source for maintaining the pressure acting i on said pressure-responsive member atta value at least equal to that of the source 4and means f for preventing movement of the pressure respon-1` sive memberby the pressure in` said chamber when the operator-controlled meansis in release l position.` t

2. The combination pressure, and a` controlivalvemechanism. for controlling the `iiow of iluid pressure between said source and actuator comprisingla valve, an` element for actuating said valve in one direction, means for moving said valve in the opposite direction, means responsive to the `pressure in said actuator for controlling the operation of said element in one direction, fand, operator-controlled in a fluid pressure control `system having an actuator, a source of `fluid l i means for controlling the operation of said element in said other direction, of means connecting said operator-controlled means and element for transmitting force therebetween in one direction including a pressure responsive member connected to the operator-controlled means and a pressure-responsive member connected to the valve operating element forming a pressure chamber between said last named members, and means connecting said chamber and source for maintaining a pressure on said last named pressure responsive members at a value at least equal to that obtaining at the source and for insuring compression of the fluid in said chamber when the operator-controlled means is operated to transmit force to said valve operating element.

3. Fluid pressure control valve mechanismof the self-lapping type including inlet and outlet chambers, a valve for controlling the flow of fluid pressure between said chambers, a valve actuating element for moving said valve in one direction to establish a connection between said chambers, means associated with said valve for moving said valve in the opposite direction, means associated with said valve actuating element and responsive to the pressure in said outlet chamber for moving said valve actuating element in one direction to permit closingof the valve, and operator-controlled means for oontrolling the operation of said valve actuating element in the other direction including a pressure-responsive member adapted for actuation by the operator, a pressure responsive member having a connection -with the valve actuating element and forming a pressure chamber between said members, means for subjecting said chamber to the pressure in said inlet chamber and means for preventing movement of the second named member by the pressure in `said chamber to move the element when the operatorcontrolled means is in released position.

4. Fluid, pressure control valve mechanism' comprising a casing, a partition thereinformed with an intake valve port, said partition dividing the casing into inlet and outlet chambers, an exhaust valve in the outlet chamber, an intake valve in the intake chamber, means inter-connecting said valves, means cooperating with said valves for normally maintaining said intake valve in port closing position, a valve actuating element formed with an exhaust passage, means for moving said element into Contact with said,

exhaust valve to close said passage and to move the latter to open the intake valve through vsaid inter-connecting means including a pair of relatively movable pressure-responsive members, one oi said members having a connection with the valve actuating element and the other of said members being adapted for actuation by the operator, means for subjecting saidlast named pressure-responsive members to the pressure in the inlet chamber, means associated with said valve actuating element and responsive to the pressure in the outlet chamber for opposing valve actuating movement of said element under the action of said operator-actuated means, and means operable on relative movement of said pair of pressure-responsive members for insuring the compression of iluid therebetween, whereby the force exerted on said valve actuating element is initially equal to the force directly proportional to the initial pressure acting thereon and is thereafter proportional to the relative movement of said members.

5. The combination in a fluid pressure control valve mechanism' having control valves andv means responsive to the pressure delivered by the valve for controlling the operation of the valves in one direction,` of operator-controlled means for controlling the operation of the valves in the other direction including a pair of pressure-responsive members defining a compression chamber, means for connecting one of said members with said pressure-responsive means, means for effecting operation of said other pressure-responsive member bythe operator-controlled means for compresing the fluid in said chamber and increasing the force exerted on said one member in one direction, means for maintaining the initial pressure in said chamber at all times at a value greater than atmospheric pressure and means for preventing movement' of said one member in said one direction by the pressure in said chamber when the operator-controlled means is in release position.

6. In a fluid pressure control valve mechanism of the self-lapping type having an inlet chamber, a valve for controlling the iiow of uid pressure from the inlet chamber therethrough, meansJ for moving said valve in one direction for preventing the flow of fluid pressure therethrough and means including a Valve actuating element for moving said valve in the other direction to permit the flow of uid pressure therethrough, means responsive to the pressure delivered by the valve for` moving said element in valve closing direction, means for moving said element in the opposite direction including an operator-'controlled pressure-responsive member and a second pressure-responsive member connected with the valve actuating element forming a compression chamber between the members and movable with respect to the operator-controlled element for compressing fluid therebetween and imparting a force to said valve actuating element in accordance with the degree of relative movement of said pressure-responsive members and means for supplying iiuid pressure from the inlet chamber to said compression chamber whenever the pressure in the latter is less than the pressure in the inlet chamber.

7. In a fluid pressure control valve mechanism of the self-lapping type wherein a valve is provided movable in one direction for permitting the flow of fluid pressure therethrough and movable in the opposite direction for preventing the ow of uid pressure therethrough and .having a valve actuating element for controlling the operation of said valve, means responsive to the pressure delivered by said valve for moving said element in one direction, and operator controlled means for moving said element inthe other direction to move the valve to open position including a fluid compressor having an operator-controlled portionk and a portion relatively movable with respect thereto connected with the valve actuating element and defining a compression chamber between said portions, means for normally supplying a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure to said chamber, and meansfor preventing the escape of fluid pressure from said chamber regardlessV of the relative positions of said compressor portions.

8. The combination in a uid pressure control system having'a source of fluid pressure, a uid pressure actuator, means including a valve mechanism for controlling the flow of fluid from said source to said actuator, and anV operator-controlled elementl for controlling the operation of said valve mechanism, of resilient means for including a fluid compressor having a pair `ofr ielatively movable members dening a compression chamber, means for supplying fluid to said chamber from said source, and means for preventing the flow of fluid from said chamber `to `said source regardless of the positions of said relatively movable members. l

9. The combination in a uid pressure control valve mechanism having a control valve and means responsive to the pressure delivered by the valve mechanism for controlling the operation of the valve in one-direction, of operator-controlled means for controlling `the operation of the valve in the other direction `includinga pair of pressure responsive members dening a` compression chamber, means for connecting one of said members with said pressure-responsive means, means .i for connecting said other member with the oper- Stor-controlled means, means fonmaintaining the pressure in said chamber at a value above atmosphericpressure, and means for preventing actuation of said pressure-responsive means by said one member under the action of said pres- 10. Fluid pressure control valve mechanism of the self-lapping type having a casing provided with inlet and outlet chambers, a valve for controlling the flow of fluid pressure between said` chambers, a valve actuating element for mov-` ing said valve in lone direction to establish a connection between said chambers, means for moving said valve in the opposite direction, means responsive to the pressure in said outlet chamber for moving said element in said opposite direction to permit closing of the valve, operator-controlled means movably mounted with respect to said casing and movable for controlling the movement of said element in said one direction, force transmitting` means interposed between said operator-controlled'means and element ,including a pair of relatively movable'pressure `responsive members defining a compression chamber therebetween and means for supplying fluid under pressure to saidcompression chamber fromsaid inlet chamber through said operator-.controlled means.

i ELBERTFOWLER, 

